Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Barcelona vs. Napoli at UEFA Champions League
Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Barcelona vs. Napoli at UEFA Champions League
These two teams share a solid history, not only because of Maradona, but their head-to-head contests. For sure, over the last decade, none of the matches had a stake this high, with the Champions League quarterfinals on the table. The first meeting saw a 1-1 tie, so Barca looks to be in a favorable position due to the home-court edge. However, Napoli won’t back down, particularly with Blaugrana not looking as confident as in the past.
Barcelona
Up until last weekend, Barca had seven straight games in which they haven’t lost. There were four wins and three ties, with the note that against Getafe and Bilbao, Blaugrana didn’t allow a single goal.
The team is still searching for the right chemistry, but as time goes by, it becomes increasingly evident that Xavi can’t replicate last year’s level of play due to various factors, including injuries and a lack of motivation.
Barcelona’s efficiency at home is much higher than on the road, with them netting 11 goals in the last four meetings at the Olympic Stadium. Though, the defense frequently concedes, which is probably the main reason why the still reigning La Liga champs have problems with consistency and mixed results.
Napoli
After three ties in a row, Napoli went on to beat Sassuolo and Juventus before the previous weekend, slightly boosting the morale ahead of this road trip. After trashing Sassuolo on the road, 1-6, we saw them triumph over Juve 2-1 at home.
That was the seventh consecutive event in which Napoli allowed at least one goal, and the sixth with both teams netting. They, too, aren’t near the previous season’s quality of play, so it’s understandable seeing them sit away from the top four places.
Napoli’s away results are terrible, and until the win against Sassuolo, they had seven in a row without a triumph, losing in five of those contests. They couldn’t net in five during the same negative stretch.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, F Lopez; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Natan, Juan Jesus, Mazzocchi; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
* at the time of writing, these lineups were relevant
The first meeting ended in a tie, 1-1. Two years ago, Barca was better in the knockout stage of the Europa League, playing 1-1 at Camp Nou and then winning big in Naples, 2-4. In 2020 we saw them meeting in the UCL group stage, and the results were 1-1 in Italy, and 3-1 for the hosts in Spain.
Barcelona is the favorite solely because they play in front of own fans. However, we wouldn’t bet on their victory but more on moderate efficiency, meaning 2 or 3 goals. Both teams oscillate too much in terms of results, but when it comes to efficiency, a moderate one is the most frequent in their respective matches.
Our verdict: 2 or 3 goals